Chinese martial arts practice can encompass a large number of weapons. The 18 Arms of Wushu (Shaolin version) are the Axe, Broadsword, Cane, Dart, Flute, Fork, Hand Dart, Kwan Dao, Monk’s Spade, Pen, Pu Dao, Sickles, Spear, Staff, Sword, Thorn, Tri-Point Double Edged Sword, and Whip. I don’t know what a Pu Dao is either.
There is also a class of ancient improvised weapons. For example, sickles and flails once used for the cutting and threshing of grain are repurposed into deadly weapons on self-defense. In this video, a community in China responds to an attack on a local woman, with an impromptu display of modern improvised weaponry.
The video of the woman being robbed by two armed men on motorcycles is obviously disturbing, but wait for the bike to come slowly rolling back into view of the security camera. The town has apparently long trained at the secret Ikea Kwoon, so it goes all Crouching Footstool, Hidden Cabinet, with the objects getting bigger and bigger.
Wait for the music to start, it’s good.
The Lessons
First of all, this community deserves a collective medal for looking out for each other. In most many western cities, the first reaction would be to get out a cellphone. At best, someone might call the police. The world needs more of this Chinese sense of community on May 19, 2010.
Second of all, “Never bring a club to a dresser fight.”
Third of all, anyone complaining that is not Kung Fu doesn’t know what the word really means. A more accurate term for Chinese Martial Arts would be Wushu. The translation of Kung Fu from Chinese to English is something like “skill acquired through great effort." And this crowd sure showed great effort!
And last of all, contrary to popular belief, Asian communities are not littered with nunchakus, swords, and throwing stars. Furniture is a legitimate weapon in Asian martial arts. Here, an actual ninja uses a chair and newspaper to thwart an attacker with a really weird haircut.
And here, in the Karate Kid documentary series, Jackie Chan uses furniture very effectively.
So it only makes sense that when word went out, “some guys robbed Xiu of her purse,” the response was swift and determined:
“I’ll get my cardboard box!”
“I’ll get a cupboard!”
“Alert Haitao, he’ll bring his dresser!”
Now you may ask yourself, where did all the furniture come from? The answer, obviously, is Funky Chinatown. The cupboard is the best. In Kung Fu kwoons, the word for cupboard is Chúguì.
Perhaps you get a sense of pride and respect watching this. There are still people somewhere who care enough about members of their community to, without hesitation, risk injury or worse. There are still people somewhere who care enough about a fellow person in need to say, “Mess with us, you’re gonna get a cupboard upside the head!”
The world needs more of that.